PA Lottery Reminds Mega Millions Players to Check Tickets

Middletown – Although last night’s $648 million Mega Millions® jackpot was won by two tickets sold in California and Georgia, the Pennsylvania Lottery today reminded players to check every ticket, every time.

The Dec. 17 winning Mega Millions numbers were: 08-14-17-20-39. The Megaball number was 07 and the Megaplier was 04.

During a jackpot run that began in early October and continued for 22 draws, PA Lottery Mega Millions players won a total of $8,262,253 through 3,246,635 winning tickets.

Last night’s drawing produced 1,116,730 winning tickets sold across Pennsylvania that resulted in $2,716,867 in prizes.

Players are encouraged to check tickets using self-service scanners found at Pennsylvania Lottery retailers.

This was the largest Mega Millions jackpot since changes were made to the game that include larger starting jackpots, a million-dollar second prize, and a new matrix of 1-75 for the first five numbers and 1-15 for the Mega Ball number. The ticket price remains $1.

The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are approximately 1-in-259 million. The odds of winning any of the Mega Millions prizes are approximately 1-in-15.

Mega Millions still holds the U.S. record for the largest jackpot ever, at $656 million. That jackpot on March 30, 2012, was split by three winning tickets in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland.

Mega Millions tickets are sold in 43 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays. Learn more about the game online at www.megamillions.com.

How to Play Mega Millions: Mega Millions tickets cost $1 per play. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 75 and one number from 1 to 15 (the Mega Ball). Players may select their own numbers using a Mega Millions play slip, or they may opt for computer-selected quick picks.

For an extra $1 per play, players can add the Megaplier. Prior to the Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier number – ranging from two to five – is randomly selected. The Megaplier applies to non-jackpot prizes.

About the Pennsylvania Lottery: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery that designates all its proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since its inception in 1971, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed nearly $23.7 billion to programs that include property tax and rent rebates; free transit and reduced-fare shared rides; the low-cost prescription drug programs PACE and PACENET; long-term living services; and the 52 Area Agencies on Aging, including full- and part-time senior centers throughout the state.

The Pennsylvania Lottery reminds its players to play responsibly. Players must be 18 or older. Players are urged to check every ticket, every time.

For more information, visit www.palottery.com, log in to Facebook and like us at www.facebook.com/palottery or follow us at www.twitter.com/palottery.

Must Be 18 Years or Older to Play. Please Play Responsibly. Compulsive Gambling Hotline: 1-800-848-1880.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the winning numbers, prize payouts and other information posted on the Pennsylvania Lottery's Web site. The official winning numbers are those selected in the respective drawings and recorded under the observation of an independent accounting firm. In the event of a discrepancy, the official drawing results shall prevail.

"The trademark 'Cash For Life' and 'Cash 4 Life', Reg. No. numbers 2,654,618, 2,358,248, 3,099,613, 85/259416 and 85/259430, are owned by and used with the permission of the Multi-State Lottery Association".